Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
It takes us a couple of hours to get it all unpacked and put away, including hanging the curtains and placing the throw rugs in front of the doors. The dishwasher is running for the new dishes and utensils, and I washed all the pots and pans by hand.
“I’m going to take all this garbage out to the garage,” Merrick says, surveying the bags of trash and boxes we broke down from today’s purchases.
“You do that, and I’ll start dinner.”
“Thanks, baby.” He leans in for a kiss, which I return eagerly before I get busy making us turkey sliders on Hawaiian sweet rolls.
“That was delicious. Thanks for cooking,” Merrick says as he stands and takes his plate and mine to the dishwasher.
“They’re my favorite and easy to make, and you’re welcome.”
“What are we watching tonight? Movie or series?” he asks as he presses the start button on the dishwasher.
“Series. Definitely. I have to know what happens next. It’s been killing me,” I confess.
Merrick laughs. “Okay, go get it pulled up. Do you want a beer? Water? Soda? Snack?”
“I’m stuffed, but a water would be good.” I move to the living room and get the next episode of the series we’ve been binge-watching pulled up. Once that’s done, I pull the throw blanket from the back of the couch and snuggle under it.
“You cold?” Merrick places two bottles of water on the coffee table before sitting next to me on the couch.
“No. I just want to snuggle. It’s a security thing.”
“Let me help with that.” He tugs me onto his lap, pulls out the footrest for the recliner on his side of the couch, and makes sure we’re both covered with the blanket.
I settle into his embrace and hit Play on the remote. There is nowhere else in the world I’d rather be.
“You’re staying here tonight, right?” Merrick asks a few hours later. We’ve just finished another season of this series we started on Netflix a few weeks ago. It’s late and I’m surprised we’re both still awake after all the running and work we did today.
“Is that okay?”
“Is it okay if I hold you in my arms while we sleep?” he counters.
“Always, Mer.”
“Exactly. Come on, baby, let’s go to bed.”
Together we walk through the house, shutting everything down, making sure the lights are off and the doors are locked. When we get to his room, he turns on the lamp on the nightstand. Without a word, he grabs the hem of my tank top, and I lift my arms for him, letting him undress me.
Tears feel like fire burning behind my eyes, because this is our moment. Finally. I can feel it. This is the moment I give everything I am to this man. Just in time for me to have to walk away. I blink back my tears, focusing on what’s happening between us.
Once I’m stripped bare, I do the same to him. Neither one of us has said a word, but we don’t need to. We’re letting our actions speak for themselves. Merrick slides a large, calloused hand behind my neck and angles for a kiss.
I meet each of his lazy strokes of his tongue with one of my own. We’re not in a hurry, regardless of the way my pulse is racing and the butterflies that are having a party in my gut. We’re both content to take our time. I don’t know why he’s taking it slow, but for me, I want to savor this. My first time making love to Merrick Kincaid. I can’t help but wonder if it will also be my last.
Breaking our kiss, Merrick trails his lips along my neck. I shiver at the contact of his lips against my skin. His hands are everywhere as he lavishes me with kisses. When he reaches my breasts, he tests their weight in his palms before swirling his tongue over my nipple and sucking it gently into his mouth. He nips with his teeth and soothes the pain with his tongue. All I can do is bury my hands in his hair and hold on for the ride I’m certain this is about to be.
He moves to the other breast and I can’t take it. I need to touch him too. Keeping one hand buried in his hair, I drop the other to palm his cock. He hisses a breath but otherwise says nothing as he continues nipping and sucking at my breasts.
I don’t know how long we’ve been standing here, fondling one another. It could be seconds. It could be hours. I’ve lost all track of time. Nothing exists to me but the man with his mouth and hands all over my body.
He stands to his full height, but I don’t stop stroking him. His hands frame my face, and he stares into my eyes. I melt under his gaze. I’d give anything for him to look at me like this for the rest of forever.